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BRITISH STANDARD

Hot-applied
thermoplastic road
marking materials

Licensed Copy: Nga Pham, May 07, 2002, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

Part 3: Specification for application of

material to road surfaces

ICS 93.080.30

BS 3262-3:
1989
Incorporating
Amendment No. 1 and
implementing No. 2,
not published
separately

BS 3262-3:1989

Committees responsible for this

British Standard
The preparation of this British Standard was entrusted by the Road
Engineering Standards Policy Committee (RDB/-) to Technical ttee Committee
RDB/25, upon which the following bodies were represented:

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British Resin Manufacturers Association

Chemical Industries Association
County Surveyors Society
Department of Transport
Department of Transport (Transport and Road Research Laboratory)
Glass Manufacturers Federation
Institution of Civil Engineers
Institution of Highways and Transportation
Oil and Colour Chemists Association
Road Markings Manufacturers and Contractors Association
Society of Chemical Industry
Coopted members

This British Standard, having

been prepared under the
direction of the Road
Engineering Standards Policy
Committee, was published
under the authority of the
Board of BSI and comes
into effect on
29 September 1989
BSI 05-1999
First published as BS 3262-1
September 1960
First revision as BS 3262
January 1972
Second revision as BS 3262-3
February 1987
New edition September 1989
The following BSI references
relate to the work on this
standard:
Committee reference RDB/25
Draft for comment 87/15710 DC
ISBN 0 580 17526 X

Amendments issued since publication

Amd. No.

Date

8785

November
1995

10205

November
1998

Comments

Indicated by a sideline in the margin

BS 3262-3:1989

Contents
Page
Inside front cover
ii
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
3
3
Inside back cover

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Committees responsible
Foreword
1
Scope
2
Definitions
3
Preparation of site
4
Preparation of material on site
5
Laying
6
Reflectorization by surface application
7
Thickness
8
Width
Text deleted
Appendix B Determination of thickness
Appendix C Determination of relative density
Publications referred to

BSI 05-1999

BS 3262-3:1989

Foreword

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This British Standard has been prepared under the direction of the Road
Engineering Standards Policy Committee. It is published in three Parts:
Part 1: Specification for constituent materials and mixtures;
Part 2: Specification for road performance;
Part 3: Specification for application of material to road surfaces.
This Part of BS 3262 replaces BS 3262-3:1987 which is withdrawn.
There have been many changes in materials and methods of laying since the first
issue of this standard in 1960 and the basis of the standard has been changed to
include performance requirements. Part 1 specifies the composition and quality
control requirements of mixtures. Part 2 specifies the performance requirements
for type approval of the materials when applied to the road surface. This Part
specifies the requirements for the application of the material to the road surfaces.
This edition introduces technical changes to bring the standard up-to-date but it
does not reflect a full review of the standard, which will be undertaken in due
course.
In this new edition, requirements for black thermoplastic material are now
included as are extruded road markings which have become widely used.
It has been assumed in the drafting of this British Standard that the execution of
its provisions is entrusted to appropriately qualified and experienced people.
This standard was confirmed in November 1995 on publication of Amendment
No. 1. The changes incorporated did not reflect a full review of the standard but
were felt necessary to maintain its currency for the forseeable future pending its
withdrawal and supersession by European Standards currently in preparation.
Amendment No. 2 published in November 1998 deleted Appendix A.
A British Standard does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of a
contract. Users of British Standards are responsible for their correct application.
Compliance with a British Standard does not of itself confer immunity
from legal obligations.

Summary of pages
This document comprises a front cover, an inside front cover, pages i and ii,
pages 1 to 4, an inside back cover and a back cover.
This standard has been updated (see copyright date) and may have had
amendments incorporated. This will be indicated in the amendment table on
the inside front cover.
ii

BSI 05-1999

BS 3262-3:1989

1 Scope
This Part of BS 3262 specifies the requirements for
the application of white, yellow and black
thermoplastic materials which are melted and
applied hot to road surfaces, using screeded or
sprayed methods, as thin superimposed markings
for centre lines, edge lines, pedestrian crossing
stripes and the like. It does not apply to
thermoplastic materials intended to be inset into
road surfaces.
Provision is made for the application of additional
solid glass beads for the purposes of reflectorization.
NOTE The titles of the publications referred to in this standard
are listed on the inside back cover.

2 Definitions

5 Laying
NOTE The application of the material to the road can be either
by machine or by hand screeding methods.

5.1 After transfer to the laying apparatus the

material shall be laid at a temperature within the
range specified by the manufacturer for the
particular method of laying being used.
5.2 The surface of the line, as laid, shall be free from
blisters, streaks, lumps and other defects.

For the purposes of this Part of BS 3262 the

definitions given in BS 3262-1 apply.

6 Reflectorization by surface
application

3 Preparation of site

Where surface application of solid glass beads is

required, the additional solid glass beads shall
comply with the class B requirements of BS 6088.

NOTE Since the thermoplastic material is applied hot, a good

bond to the road is normally obtained on bituminous surfaces.

3.1 Concrete and bituminous surfaces where

polished aggregate is exposed

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4.3 Once molten, hydrocarbon resins shall be used

within 6 h and wood and gum rosins shall be used
within 4 h. The material shall not exceed the
manufacturers specified application temperature
during that time, and shall be discarded after that
time.

On concrete and bituminous surfaces where

polished aggregate is exposed, a tack coat shall be
used. On new concrete surfaces any laitance and/or
curing compound shall be removed before the
markings are applied.
3.2 Condition of surface
The material shall not be laid over loose detritus,
mud or similar extraneous matter or over old
flaking markings of paint or thermoplastic material.
If the road surface is at a temperature of less
than 5 C, or if it is wet, it shall be warmed carefully
by a road heater so that, when the material is laid,
the surface temperature is above 5 C and the
surface dry.

4 Preparation of material on site

4.1 To avoid discoloration and embrittlement due to
heating at a temperature in excess of that specified
by the manufacturer, the material shall be broken
into pieces, each weighing not more than 4 kg, which
shall be melted in a heater fitted with a mechanical
stirrer to prevent local overheating.
4.2 A thermometer accurate to within 5 C at the
working temperature of the heater shall be used
during laying to ensure that overheating of the
material does not occur.

BSI 05-1999

NOTE 1 For products where improved wet night visibility is

required, glass beads of size 1 mm to 5 mm but otherwise
complying with the requirements of BS 6088 may be specified
and substituted for part, or all, of the total surface-applied glass
beads.
NOTE 2 The initial skid resistance of a road marking may be
enhanced by incorporating a fine graded light-coloured aggregate
with the surface applied glass beads. The nominal size of
aggregate should be of the same order of size as the glass beads.

7 Thickness
The material shall be laid to the following
thicknesses.
a) For synthetic resin binder:
1) screed lines: not less than 2.0 mm nor more
than 5.0 mm;
2) sprayed lines other than yellow: not less
than 1.5 mm;
3) sprayed yellow edge lines (no waiting etc.):
not less than 0.8 mm;
4) extruded lines: not less than 2.5 mm nor
more than 3.5 mm.
b) For gum or wood rosin binder:
1) screed lines: not less than 3.0 mm nor more
than 5.0 mm;
2) sprayed lines other than yellow: not less
than 2.0 mm;
3) sprayed yellow edge lines (no waiting etc.):
not less than 2.0 mm nor more than 3.0 mm;
4) extruded lines: not less than 4.0 mm nor
more than 5.0 mm.

BS 3262-3:1989

The minimum thicknesses specified are exclusive of

surface applied solid glass beads. The determination
of thickness shall be in accordance with Appendix B
and Appendix C.

8 Width

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The tolerance on the specified width of the laid line

shall be + 10 %, 5 %.

BSI 05-1999

BS 3262-3:1989

Text deleted

Licensed Copy: Nga Pham, May 07, 2002, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

Appendix B Determination of
thickness
B.1 General
This appendix describes the method for determining
the thickness of road marking materials. In cases of
dispute the method detailed in B.3.3 shall be used.
B.2 Apparatus
B.2.1 Micrometer, of the deep frame type with an
anvil area of at least 10 mm and capable of
measuring to an accuracy of 0.01 mm.
B.2.2 Metal sheet, of minimum thickness 1.5 mm
and of minimum dimensions 300 mm long
and 50 mm wider than the line being laid.
B.2.3 Balance, accurate to 0.1 g.
B.3 Procedure
B.3.1 General
When conducting this determination during normal
working, the specimens shall be taken from
positions at least 3 m apart.
B.3.2 Initial procedure
B.3.2.1 Prepare three specimens, each not less
than 300 mm long, by allowing the laying apparatus
to lay the material on the metal sheet.
B.3.2.2 Measure the thickness of the material on a
line to which a surface application of solid glass
beads has not been applied, by the method described
in B.3.3.
B.3.3 Measurement procedure
B.3.3.1 Weigh the metal sheet to the nearest 0.1 g.
B.3.3.2 Determine to the nearest 0.1 g the mass of
the specimen and measure the width and length of
the specimen to 2 mm.
B.3.3.3 Calculate the area of the specimen.
B.3.3.4 Use the method described in Appendix C to
determine the relative density of the material and
then calculate the thickness of the line.
B.3.4 Measurement procedure (micrometer)
Take sufficient readings using the micrometer (at
least 10 on each sheet) to enable the average
thickness on the three sheets to be determined.
B.4 Expression of results
Report to two decimal places the mean of the three
thicknesses determined.

BSI 05-1999

Appendix C Determination of relative

density
C.1 General
This appendix describes the method for determining
the relative density of thermoplastic road marking
materials so that the thickness of a thermoplastic
road marking can be determined in accordance with
Appendix B.
C.2 Apparatus
C.2.1 Beakers, tall form, glass, 250 mL and 500 mL.
C.2.2 Paddle stirrer, electrically driven and
controlled to rotate at 150 10 r/min. The shaft of
the stirrer shall be a 6.5 0.5 mm diameter steel
rod of suitable length to fit the stirrer motor, fitted
with a single blade paddle of 40 0.5 mm
length, 30 0.5 mm depth and 1.5 0.5 mm
thickness.
C.2.3 Analytical balance, accurate to two decimal
places.
C.2.4 Three silicone rubber moulds, of internal
dimensions 30 1 mm 20 1 mm 10 1 mm.
C.2.5 Oil bath, capable of maintaining a
temperature of 180 5 C.
C.2.6 Cotton cord, thin.
C.2.7 Water bath, capable of maintaining a
temperature of 20 0.5 C.
C.3 Procedure
C.3.1 Place a cotton cord in each mould leaving
approximately 100 mm protruding.
C.3.2 Weigh approximately 200 g of thermoplastic
road marking material sampled and prepared in
accordance with Appendix B of BS 3262-1:1989 into
a 250 mL glass beaker.
C.3.3 Place this into an oil bath set at 180 5 C
and lower the stirrer to within 15 mm of the base of
the beaker.
C.3.4 Start the motor and regulate the speed of the
stirrer to 150 r/min. Maintain the test conditions
for 30 min, and then remove the beaker and cast
three samples into silicone rubber moulds.
C.3.5 Allow the samples to cool to room temperature
and then place them and the 500 mL beaker in the
water bath preset at 20 C. Leave for 30 min.
C.3.6 Weigh each sample to two decimal places.
C.3.7 Record the weight as the weight in air.
C.3.8 Weigh each sample suspended in the beaker of
water and record the weight as the weight in water.

BS 3262-3:1989

C.4 Calculation and expression of results

C.4.1 Calculate the relative density d using the
following equation:
Wa
d = -------------------------Wa W w

where
Wa is the weight in air (in g);
Ww is the weight in water (in g).

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C.4.2 If the results differ by more than 0.05 repeat

the test by casting new samples.
Report the mean of the three relative densities
determined.

BSI 05-1999

BS 3262-3:1989

Publications referred to

Licensed Copy: Nga Pham, May 07, 2002, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

BS 3262, Hot-applied thermoplastic road marking materials.

BS 3262-1, Specification for constituent materials and mixtures.
BS 3262-2, Specification for road performance1).
BS 6088, Specification for solid glass beads for use with road marking compounds and for other industrial
uses.

1)

Referred to in the foreword only.

BSI 05-1999

BS 3262-3:
1989

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